Horizon Creates New Direct Marketing Unit “Horizon Next”

What: Horizon Media is broadening its direct marketing practice with a new stand-alone entity called Horizon Next.Why it matters: The Unit, led by direct marketing leader Gene Turner, will provide brand strategy, consumer and channel insights, strategic planning and buying, data strategy and analytics solutions.

Horizon Media is broadening its direct marketing practice with a new stand-alone entity, Mediapost has reported.

The new entity called Horizon Next will be led by Horizon's direct marketing leader Gene Turner and will begin with 45 clients. The entity will provide brand strategy, consumer and channel insights, strategic planning and buying, data strategy and analytics solutions.

‎EVP, Chief of Horizon Next Turner will be based at Horizon’s New York headquarters and have a second location within the agency’s Los Angeles office.

Horizon Next combines human insights with data for a holistic view of the right target, brand and business. The Unit currently counts with US$1.3 billion of client investments.

“The Horizon Next name reflects the company’s pursuit to ensure that tomorrow outperforms today,” says Turner. “Our business sits at the intersection of three constantly changing landscapes: people, data, and media. We are constantly re-inventing our model in pursuit of what’s next: our next innovation, our next advancement in analytics, the market’s next media evolution, and the next technological breakthrough that will elevate performance. We are always making sure that we operate within a framework of balancing time-tested approaches with fresh ideas.”

Customers can protect their personal data and monetize it, entering into a one-on-one relationship with brands through a technology called "smart contracts". Smart contracts allow users to enter into data sharing agreements with brands that are “securely stored on the block chain along with the detailed terms and conditions,”